Hair Straightening Device

ABSTRACT

A hair straightening device including a first arm, a hinge connected to the first arm, and a second arm connected to the hinge. The first arm, the second arm, or both are rotatable around the hinge between an open position where the first arm and the second arm do not contact each other and a closed position where the first arm and the second arm contact each other. The second arm comprises protrusions extending away from an interior surface of the second arm that faces the first arm of when the hair straightening device is in the closed position. The first arm may include holes corresponding to the protrusions, a first deformable material that is contacted and deformed by the protrusions, a first non-deformable material that is contacted but not deformed by the protrusions, or a combination thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Current products and devices that are designed to relax, straighten, orlengthen the curls of hair employ chemicals or electronic heating (e.g.,a flat iron, heated hair brush, hot air brush, etc.).

Heating devices, whether they be professional grade or drug-storehome-use grade, frequently cause forehead and hand burns—such as flat ortubular heat irons. Heat irons and other heating devices often heat upto 300 degrees for thinner finer hair and up to 350-400 degrees fortreating thick curly hair. Hair burns at 450 degrees.

There are hundreds of relaxing or straitening serums and chemicals onthe market to apply to hair. But a heat conducting tool is still neededto truly reduce the volume and severity of curly hair. And many of thechemicals in these products can cause a reaction—especially for userswith allergies or sensitivities. Plus, there is always the danger ofleaving electric styling tools in the power-on mode—causing a firehazard.

And since mechanically straightening hair needs to be done on a dailybasis to maintain the desired results—especially after showering orwashing hair—traveling presents additional problems. In particular,electronic heating devices for straightening hair like flat irons—eventhose specifically designed for traveling—are bulky and take up valuableluggage space. These devices are also heavy, which makes the luggagemore difficult for a user to carry and transport, and can lead toincreased fees if the luggage is checked during a flight. In addition,electronic heating devices require an electrical converter whentraveling internationally.

There are strictly mechanical devices designed to straighten hair, suchas hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro®) and foam rollers. But these oftenundesirably rip out hair.

Hot rollers require electricity, and don't come in a large enoughcircumference for the purpose of straightening hair. In addition, theycreate curls by design and so are difficult to use to straighten hair.

Hair can also professionally straightened, such as with a salon “blowout”. But these procedures also use heat, and so have all the riskslisted above. And such professional straightening is expensive and lastsonly a day. Even if hair is not washed, the straightening effect isfrequently lost during the tossing and turning of sleep.

Moreover, using chemicals and/or heat to straighten hair damages thehair itself, drying it out, making it more brittle and frizzy, andreducing its luster and sheen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As such, it is desirable to provide a new device that can relax,straighten, or lengthen the curls of hair without using heat orchemicals. It is also desirable for such a new device to be of a size,shape, and weight that it can be easily packed in luggage for travelwithout taking up much space or increasing the weight of the luggagesignificantly.

Upon cutting her hair short, the inventor realized that her hair wasless curly and more straight when it was longer, and was more curly withmore volume when it was shorter. The inventor realized that it was theincreased weight of longer hair made it more difficult for the hair tospring back upwards into curls. This increased weight of longer hairresulted in less time being needed to straighten it. The inventor thenrealized that what was needed to relax, straighten, or lengthen thecurls of hair without using heat or chemicals was a device that couldattach to the end of hair to add weight without damaging the hair ordeforming it shape (e.g., crimping or bending).

According to the present invention there is therefore provided a hairstraightening device as described by way of example below and in theaccompanying claims.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a hairstraightening device including a first arm, a hinge connected to thefirst arm, and a second arm connected to the hinge. The first arm, thesecond arm, or both are rotatable around the hinge between an openposition where the first arm and the second arm do not contact eachother and a closed position where the first arm and the second armcontact each other. The second arm comprises protrusions extending awayfrom an interior surface of the second arm that faces the first arm ofwhen the hair straightening device is in the closed position. The firstarm may include:

-   -   holes that correspond to the protrusions of the second arm and        in which at least a portion of the protrusions of the second arm        are arranged when the hair straightening device is in the closed        position;    -   a first deformable material that is contacted and deformed by        the protrusions of the second arm when the hair straightening        device is in the closed position;    -   a first non-deformable material that is contacted but not        deformed by the protrusions of the second arm when the hair        straightening device is in the closed position; or    -   a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the first arm comprises both the holes and thefirst deformable material.

In yet another embodiment, the holes are formed in a non-deformablematerial that is different from and covers the first deformablematerial, and which is not deformed by the protrusions of the second armwhen the hair straightening device is in the closed position.

In a further embodiment, the first arm comprises the holes, which areformed in a non-deformable material that is not deformed by theprotrusions of the second arm when the hair straightening device is inthe closed position.

In yet a further embodiment, the protrusions comprise a deformablematerial so that ends of the protrusions are deformed by an interiorsurface of the first arm that faces the protrusions when the hairstraightening device is in the closed position.

In another embodiment, the interior surface of the first arm is formedfrom a non-deformable material that is not deformed by the protrusionsof the second arm when the hair straightening device is in the closedposition and the protrusions contact and are deformed by the interiorsecond surface.

In yet another embodiment, each protrusion has a width that decreases asthe protrusions extends from the interior surface of the second arm.

In a further embodiment, each protrusion is shaped as a cone or pyramid.

In yet a further embodiment, each protrusion has a width that isconstant as the protrusions extends from the interior surface of thesecond arm.

In another embodiment, the device weighs from 5-60 grams.

In yet another embodiment, each of the first and second arms comprises ahair-side surface configured to contact hair when hair is arrangedbetween the first and second arms and the device is in the closedposition. Each hair-side surface has a length extending from the hingeto an end of the respective first or second arm that is in a range offrom 1-6 inches, and a width perpendicular to the length that is in arange of a 1-6 inches.

In a further embodiment, the length of each hair-side surface is greaterthan or equal that the width of that hair-side surface.

In yet a further embodiment, the length of each hair-side surface isless than the width of that hair-side surface.

In another embodiment, at least one arm of the first and second armscomprises a port through which a mass of material can be added, removed,or both, to the inside of the one arm to adjust the weight of thedevice.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one arm further comprises acover configured to open and close the port.

In a further embodiment, a spring that applies a spring force to biasthe first and second arms towards each other to maintain the device inthe closed position.

In yet a further embodiment, one arm of the first and second armscomprises a magnet generator that generates a magnetic field, and theother arm of the first and second arms comprises a magnetic attractorthat is attracted to the magnetic generator by the magnetic field so asto bias the first and second arms towards each other to maintain thedevice in the closed position.

In another embodiment, the magnet generator is a permanent magnet.

In yet another embodiment, the magnet attractor is a permanent magnet.

In a further embodiment, the magnet attractor is a piece of metal.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a hairstraightening device that includes a first arm, a hinge connected to thefirst arm, and a second arm connected to the hinge. The first arm, thesecond arm, or both are rotatable around the hinge between an openposition where the first arm and the second arm do not contact eachother and a closed position where the first arm and the second armcontact each other. The first arm comprises a deformable first materialthat forms an interior deformable surface of the first arm that facesthe second arm when the hair straightening device is in the closedposition. The interior deformable surface of the first arm is deformedby the second arm when the hair straightening device is in the closedposition.

In another embodiment, the second arm comprises a deformable secondmaterial that forms an interior deformable surface of the second armthat faces the interior deformable surface of the first arm when thehair straightening device is in the closed position. The interiordeformable surface of the second arm is deformed by the first arm whenthe hair straightening device is in the closed position. The deformablesecond material is the same as or different from the deformable firstmaterial.

In yet another embodiment, the second arm comprises a non-deformablematerial that forms an interior non-deformable surface of the second armthat faces the interior deformable surface of the first arm when thehair straightening device is in the closed position. The interiornon-deformable surface of the second arm is not deformed by the firstarm when the hair straightening device is in the closed position and thedeformable surface of the first arm contacts and presses against thenon-deformable surface of the second arm. The non-deformable material isdifferent from the deformable first material.

The device can be used by individuals of almost any age. It takes lessthan a minute each to apply, and can be left on the ends of the sectionsof hair until the hair is completely dry or can be removed earlier for aless straight surface. The device is portable and weighs far less than ablow dryer or flattening iron. The device can be used with or without ablow drying. Because the device provides a “head start” in relaxing thehair, a small low-powered hotel blow dryer will suffice and large homehair driers can be used at a lower setting, thereby reducing the chanceof damaging the hair. The device can be used by professional stylists toaide and speed up the process of blowing hair dry.

It is noted that the features of the above-described embodiments are notexclusive to each other, and that any one of the aboveembodiments/features can be combined with one or more of the otherembodiments/features to arrive at further embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the hair straightening device 1 in aclosed state.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the hair straightening device 1 in an openstate.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the hair straightening device 1 with a180° opening.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the hair straightening device 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show yet another embodiment of the hair straighteningdevice 1.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the hair straightening device 1 where thearms 2,3 have nonuniform varying widths.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an embodiment of the hair straightening device 1where the arms 2,3 have nonuniform varying thicknesses.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show yet again another embodiment of the hairstraightening device 1.

FIGS. 13-17 show another embodiment of the hair straightening device 1.

FIGS. 18A-18D show various shapes for the toothed surface.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show yet another embodiment of the hair straighteningdevice 1.

FIGS. 21A shows the hair straightening device 1 with arms 2,3 in astraight state.

FIG. 21B shows the hair straightening device 1 with arms 2,3 in a bentstate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional inthis art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherelements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However,because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do notfacilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussionof such elements is not provided herein.

The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis ofexemplary embodiments. It is noted that any numerical ranges disclosedherein are included to individually disclose every sub-range and number,both whole integer and partial fraction, within the disclosed range. Forexample, a disclosed range of 1-100 is intended to individually disclose20-90, 40-80, 30.5-50.2, 20, 67.3, 84.512924, and every other range andnumber that falls within the recited range.

FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of the hair straightening device 1 that hasa first arm 2 and a second arm 3. The two arms 2,3 come together toclamp or clip onto the bottom portion of damp hair that has been combedstraight. Each of the first and second arms 2,3 has a correspondinghair-side surface 4,5. The damp hair is sandwiched between the twohair-side surfaces 4,5, when the straightening device 1 is closed. Theclip 1 is designed so as to have a weight sufficient to hold hair downand straight, and prevent the hair from springing or curling back up,regardless of the length of the hair or strength of the curl force ofthe hair. The device 1 is left attached to the hair until it becomesdry, at which point the first and second sides 2,3 are separated fromeach other and the clamp 1 is removed from the hair. In this manner, thehair is held straight until it dries, at which point it remains straighteven when the device is removed.

The two arms 2,3 have ends 6,7 that come together securely by way ofmagnetic attraction, clamp, clip, or spring (e.g., compression spring,extension spring, torsion spring, constant force spring). The other ends8,9 of the arms 2,3 can also be held together by way of magneticattraction, clamp, clip, or spring. In this way, the ends 8,9 can bepermanently connected to each other, or can be removably connected likethe ends 6,7 so that so that the arms 2,3 are completely detachable fromeach other.

Alternatively or additionally, the ends 8,9 can be attached to eachother via a hinge 10 so that the arm 2 rotates around the hinge 10. Thehinge 10 can be integral to and a part of the arm 3, or can be aseparate component that is attached to the arm 3. The end 8 of the arm 2can be permanently attached to the hinge 10 for ease of use, or can bedesigned to be separated from the hinge 10 for portability.

One or both of the hair-side surfaces 4,5 may be made from a non-slipmaterial that provides friction against hair so that the device 1 doesnot slide off the hair after being clipped around the hair. Examples ofsuch a material includes elastomers like silicone, natural rubber,synthetic rubber, latex, and the like, as well as foams like latex foam,polyurethane non-memory foam, polyurethane memory foam, soy memory foam,neoprene foam, foam rubber, silicone foam and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the hair-side surfaces 4,5 is atooth-lined or fiber-grabbing surface and the other hair-side surfacesis a smooth non-slip surface that has an impression potential (e.g.,silicone). When the two surfaces 4,5 come together, they grab onto theends and don't slip off the hair strands. The tooth-lined orfiber-grabbing surface, side one, submerges into or gently penetratesthe soft and smooth non-slip surface, side two, to securely grab thehair. The size of the device 1 may vary depending on the texture,thickness, and amount of hair a particular clip 1 is designed to collectfor the purpose of creating a taut smooth surface.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the ends 6,7 coming together by wayof magnetic attraction via two magnetic pieces—a magnet generator 11(e.g., a magnet) that is incorporated into or on one of the ends 6,7,and a magnetic attractor 12 (e.g., a magnet, a piece of magnetic metal)that is attracted to the magnetic generator and which is incorporatedinto or on the other of the ends 6,7. If a magnetic piece 11,12 isincorporated on a hair-side surface 4,5, then it is preferably coveredwith a material that has a soft, pliable surface—like fabric, cloth,neoprene, wet-suit material, spongy material (e.g., a piece of naturalor synthetic sponge), a foam material, a plastic, or any of the non-slipmaterials listed above for the hair-side surfaces 4,5—so that the soft,pliable material is arranged between the magnetic piece 11,12 and thehair. For example, the magnetic piece 11, the magnetic piece 12, orboth, may be covered by the non-slip materials listed of the respectivehair-side surface 4,5 itself. Such a soft, pliable surface has more givethan the hard magnetic pieces, and prevents harsh lines being left inthe hair from the magnetic pieces. Weight distributed slightly unevenlykeeps strands from kinking.

While FIG. 3 show the magnetic pieces 11,12 arranged on the ends 6,7 ofthe arms 2,3, the magnetic pieces 11,12 can be arranged anywhere alongthe arms 2,3. The magnetic pieces 11,12 can also extend from the ends6,7 to the ends 8,9, or any length in-between. Furthermore, more thantwo magnetic pieces 11,12 can be used—such as multiple magnetic pairs11,12 arranged along the arms 2,3, one long magnetic generator 11 pairedwith multiple magnetic attractors 12, multiple magnetic generators 11paired with one long magnetic attractor 12, or any combination thereof.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, protrusions or teeth 13 line one ofthe surfaces 4,5, and holes 14 line the other of the surfaces 4,5 intowhich the protrusions or teeth 13 submerge when the device 1 is closed.This increases the surface area of the device 1 in contact with thehair, thereby increasing the frictional force and making for a moresecure grip on the hair.

The clip 1 may also adhere to the tips of the strands of hair by simpletension from a clamp or other tension coil system creating a tight grip(e.g., a torsion spring arranged near or around the hinge 10). The oneor more hair-side surfaces 4,5 of the clip could be a spongey or givingsurface 16 that would keep the hair from crimping but also create anon-slip gripping surface to ensure the weighted device does not falldown the length of the strands eventually falling off.

As shown in FIG. 4, the device may have a 180° opening allowing the arm3 that is covered in rigid or flexible protrusions or teeth 13 to combthrough, manipulate, and untangle hair by running the length of thestrands before clamping the hair between the arms 2,3 to sandwich andhold onto the hair.

As shown in FIG. 5, the interior hair-side surface of the arm 2 can beformed by a resilient material or padding 16, which can be comprisefelt, velvet, cushioning (e.g., an elastomeric or foam material such asthose listed above for the hair-side surfaces 4,5), thermoplasticpolyurethane (TPU), or the like. The protrusions or teeth 13 on the arm3 submerge into the padding 16 when the device 1 is closed. Because thepadding 16 is a resilient material that deforms when the protrusions orteeth 13 are pushed into it, there is no need for holes 14 to be formedin the interior hair-side surface of the padding 16. However, holes 14for the protrusions or teeth 13 can be formed in the padding 16 toprovide a more secure contact between the protrusions or teeth 13 andthe padding 16, and strengthen the grip of the clip 1 on hair.

The protrusions 13 can be formed from a rigid material—like hardplastic, resin, metal, wood, etc.—to enable the flexible teeth 13 tocomb through, manipulate, and untangle hair. The protrusions 13 can alsobe formed from a deformable and resilient material—like one an elastomeror foam—to provide additional force against the hair and increase thesurface area of the clip 1 that actually squeezes the hair. If the teeth13 are formed from a deformable and resilient material, then there is noneed for holes 14 to be formed in the interior hair-side surface 4 ofthe arm 2. However, such holes 14 for the protrusions 13 can of coursebe formed in the hair-side surface 4—be it deformable or rigid—toprovide a more secure contact between the teeth 13 and the hair-sidesurface 4, and strengthen the grip of the clip 1 on hair.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the device may be made up of two arms 2,3that come together through a coiled tension clamp where the interiorhair-side surface areas 4,5 of arms 2,3, are made up of felt, velvet, orcushioning (e.g., a foam material) 16 that grasps to the strand ends.

While the above embodiments have frequently been described as using somesoft, deformable padding material to form one or both of the hair-sidesurface 4,5, one or both of these surfaces can instead be formed from arigid, non-deformable material, like plastic, metal, resin, or wood. Forexample, in a variation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, thefelt, velvet, or cushioning (e.g., a foam material) 16 of one of thearms 2,3 can be replaced or overlaid with a rigid, non-deformablematerial. This creates a smooth, taut surface to protects hair fromcreases and dents.

FIGS. 1-7 show the two arms 2,3 as being of a uniform width andthickness. But the two arms 2,3 may be of different widths, differentthicknesses, or both. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the first arm 2may include a first portion 2 a having a width W_(2a), and secondportion 2 b having a width W_(2b) that is wider than the width W_(2a).The second portion 2 b is configured to contact the hair of a user whenthe hair straightening device 1 is in a closed state. FIG. 8 shows asecond portion 2 b with a length L_(2a) that is greater than the widthW_(2b). But the second portion 2 b can also be designed with a with alength L_(2a) that is equal to or less than the width W_(2b). Similarly,the second arm 3 may include a first portion 3 a having a width W_(3a),and second portion 3 b having a width W_(3b) that is wider than thewidth W_(3a). The first and second portions 2 a,2 b may be formed fromtwo different pieces that are attached to each other, or may be formedfrom a single integral piece. Similarly, the first and second portions 3a,3 b may be formed from two different pieces that are attached to eachother, or may be formed from a single integral piece.

In addition, the two arms 2,3 may have the same thicknesses, ordifferent thicknesses. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thefirst arm 2 has a thickness T₂ that is greater than a thickness T₃ ofthe second arm 3. This configuration can of course be reversed so thatthe first arm 2 has a thickness T₂ that is less than a thickness T₃ ofthe second arm 3. Furthermore, the thickness of the two arms 2,3 fromthe ends 6,7 to the respective ends 8,9 can be constant or varied. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 10, the thickness of each of the arms 2,3 candecrease from the ends 6,7 to the respective ends 8,9 so that the ends8,9 can be squeezed together by a user against a spring arranged near,in, or around the hinge 10. to separate the ends 6,7 from each other sothat hair can be placed between the arms 2,3 before the user releasesthe ends 8,9 so that the spring can close the ends 6,7 together to graspthe hair.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 the device may be made up of two sides thatclamp together by way of a first portion 18 that engages with and isheld to a second portion 19. This can be accomplished by hook-and-loopfasteners, snaps, buttons and button holes, interlocking knobs, and thelike. In one embodiment, the first portion 18 is a magnetic attractor 12(e.g., a magnet, a piece of magnetic metal) and the second portion 19 isa magnetic generator 11 (e.g., a magnet) to which the first portion 18is attracted and held when the device 1 is closed. In this embodiment,the hinge 10 is formed from a flexible material—such as flexibleplastic, rubber, an elastomeric material (e.g., TPU), fabric, cloth,felt, and the like—to allow the first arm 2 to bend or rotate around thehinge 10 and move between the open position shown in FIG. 11 and theclosed position shown in FIG. 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 2, the first arm 2, second arm3, and hinge 10 are formed from a single material. The first and secondarms 2,3 include a spongey or giving material 16, such as that describedabove. Teeth 13 extend from the hair-side surface of the padding 16 ofthe second arm 3, and push into the hair-side surface of the padding 16of the first arm 2 when the device 1 is closed. Including protrusions 13all alone the surface of the arm 3 (e.g., as shown in 11-17) rather thanjust in a row (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-5) further increases thesurface area of the device 1 in contact with the hair, making for a moresecure grip on the hair.

The device 1 is heavy enough to lengthen hair or “pull” curls outwithout damaging the hair or injuring the user—preferably 5-60 grams.The device can be of a fixed weight or of an adjustable weight. Forexample, a port 15 can be incorporated into one of both of the ends 6,7so that the corresponding arm 2,3 can be filled with a substance (e.g.,water, sand, etc.) to add or remove weight. The weight creates a smoothsurface in the hair without slack that does not permit the hair torecoil upwards. The hair-side surfaces 4,5 are preferably 1-6 incheslong and a 1-3 inches wide; therefore creating a surface area of 1-18square inches.

FIGS. 13-17 show an embodiment of the device 1 where the hinge 10 isformed has ends 10A,10B and a shaft 10C. At least one of the two arms2,3 slides along the shaft so that the arms can move between an openstate shown in FIG. 16 and a closed state shown in FIG. 17. The shaft10C is formed of any of the flexible materials mentioned above. Forexample, the shaft 10C may be formed of a resilient and elastic materialso as to act like a flat spring. As another example, the shaft 10C maybe malleable and bendable without any resilience or elasticity (e.g.,formed by a fabric material). This allows that shaft 10C to bend asshown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Rows of protrusions 13 are formed along thehair-side surface 5 of the arm 3. The arms 2,3 are held in the closedposition by any of the mechanisms discussed above, includinghook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons and button holes, magnets, andthe like. For example part of the one or both of the arms 2,3 may beformed by a magnetic material. Similarly, each of the arms 2,3 may beformed multiple layers, one of which is formed by a magnetic piece(i.e., a magnetic generator or a magnetic attractor as described above).This would allow for a magnetic field to be generated across the entirehair-side surface of at least one of the arms 2,3—ensuring a more secureclosure of the two arms 2,3 than if the magnetic field was localized tojust a portion of one of the hair-side surfaces.

The protrusions 13 may be formed in a variety of shapes. For example,each tooth can be formed to have a width that decreases as the toothextends from the interior surface of the second arm—such as in the shapeof a cone or pyramid. Alternatively, each tooth can have a width that isconstant as the tooth extends from the interior surface of the secondarm—such as a column or pillar. The cross section of such astraight-sided column or pillar may be circular, triangular,rectangular, or the like. The protrusions 13 can have pointed, rounded,or flat ends.

Each tooth or protrusion 13 has a height H_(P) that extendsperpendicular from a hair-side surface of the respective arm 2,3, andhas a length and a width that are both perpendicular to the height.While many of the embodiments of the protrusions 13 shown in thedrawings have widths and lengths that are equal to each other, this doesnot need to be the case. For example, the protrusions 13 can each beformed to have a length L_(P) that is greater than a width W_(P).

Any shape can be used for such protrusions 13, with some examples ofsuch shapes shown in FIGS. 18A-18D. For example, FIG. 18A protrusion maybe formed to have wave-like cross section with a curved peak. FIG. 18Cshows another example where the protrusions 13 have a trapezoidal crosssection with a flat peak. And FIG. 18D shows the protrusions 13 having atriangular cross section with a pointed peak.

As mentioned above, the length L_(P) of each protrusion 13 may be equalto or greater than the corresponding width W_(P). Furthermore, thelength direction of each protrusion 13 may be parallel to the lengthdirection and perpendicular to the width direction of the correspondingarm 2,3. In another embodiment, the length direction of each protrusion13 is parallel to the width direction and perpendicular to the lengthdirection of the corresponding arm 2,3. In yet another embodiment, thelength direction of each protrusion 13 intersects with both the lengthdirection and the width direction of the corresponding arm 2,3.

The length L_(P) of each protrusion 13 may be substantially equal to thelength or width of the arm 2,3, on which the protrusion is arranged. Forexample, the entire hair-side surface 4,5 of one or both of the arms 2,3may contoured with protrusion 13 formed as ribs or ridges with peaks 21and troughs 22. If both hair-side surfaces 4,5 of the arms 2,3 arecontoured with ribs/ridges, preferably the peaks 21 of the hair-sidesurface 4 fit in the troughs 22 of the hair-side surface 5 and the peaks21 of the hair-side surface 5 fit in the troughs 22 of the hair-sidesurface 4 with the device 1 is in the closed state.

The hair-side surfaces of the troughs 22 may be smooth as shown in FIGS.18A, 18C, and 18D, or may include mini protrusions 23 as shown in FIG.18B. Preferably, the height of the mini protrusions 23 is less than theheight H_(P) of the protrusions 13 so that the peaks of the miniprotrusions 23 do not extend past the peaks 21 of the protrusions 13.While the mini protrusions 23 have only been shown with regard to awave-like cross section, such mini protrusions 23 can be included in anycross-sectional shape (e.g., the trapezoidal cross section of FIG. 18C,the triangular cross section of FIG. 18D, etc).

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an embodiment of the device 1 where the twosides/arms 2,3 clamp together by way of corresponding knobs 20 thatinterlock as shown in FIG. 20 to hold the device 1 in the closed state.

The arms or sides 2,3 may be rigid so as to have a cross section in thelength or width direction that is curved, straight, or a combinationthereof. Alternatively, the arms or sides 2,3 may be malleable so thatthey can be bent by a user into the desired shape. This would allow thehair to be shaped as each user desires. FIG. 21A shows a hairstraightening device 1 with bendable arms 2,3 in a straight state. FIG.21B shows the hair straightening device 1 after the arms 2,3 have beenbent by a user. The arms 2,3 will stay in that bent shape until it ischanged by the user. Such arms can be bent and shaped before the device1 is applied to the hair, or after it is applied. While FIG. 21B showsarms 2,3 with both bent portions and straight portions, the entirelength of each arm 2,3 may of course be bent or curved.

It is noted that the embodiments described above are not exclusive toeach other.

In particular, any feature from any embodiment may be used in anotherembodiment. Similarly, the any of the features of a given embodiment maybe combined with any of the features in any of the other embodiments.

It is also noted that the terminology used above is for the purpose ofreference only, and is not intended to be limiting. For example, termssuch as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “rightward”, “leftward”,“clockwise”, and “counterclockwise” refer to directions in the drawingsto which reference is made. As another example, terms such as “inward”and “outward” may refer to directions toward and away from,respectively, the geometric center of the component described. As afurther example, terms such as “front”, “rear”, “side”, “left side”,“right side”, “top”, “bottom”, “horizontal”, and “vertical” describe theorientation of portions of the component within a consistent butarbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to thetext and the associated drawings describing the component underdiscussion. Such terminology will include the words specificallymentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions as defined in the following claims.

In addition, it is noted that citation or identification of any documentin this application is not an admission that such document is availableas prior art to the present invention.

1. A hair straightening device comprising: a first arm; a hingeconnected to the first arm; and a second arm connected to the hinge;wherein the first arm, the second arm, or both are rotatable around thehinge between an open position where the first arm and the second arm donot contact each other and a closed position where the first arm and thesecond arm contact each other; wherein the second arm comprisesprotrusions extending away from an interior surface of the second armthat faces the first arm of when the hair straightening device is in theclosed position; and wherein the first arm comprises: holes thatcorrespond to the protrusions of the second arm and in which at least aportion of the protrusions of the second arm are arranged when the hairstraightening device is in the closed position; a first deformablematerial that is contacted and deformed by the protrusions of the secondarm when the hair straightening device is in the closed position; or afirst non-deformable material that is contacted but not deformed by theprotrusions of the second arm when the hair straightening device is inthe closed position.
 2. The hair straightening device according to claim1; wherein the first arm comprises both the holes and the firstdeformable material.
 3. The hair straightening device according to claim2; wherein the holes are formed in a non-deformable material that isdifferent from and covers the first deformable material, and which isnot deformed by the protrusions of the second arm when the hairstraightening device is in the closed position.
 4. The hairstraightening device according to claim 1; wherein the first armcomprises the holes, which are formed in a non-deformable material thatis not deformed by the protrusions of the second arm when the hairstraightening device is in the closed position.
 5. The hairstraightening device according to claim 1; wherein the protrusionscomprise a deformable material so that ends of the protrusions aredeformed by an interior surface of the first arm that faces theprotrusions when the hair straightening device is in the closedposition.
 6. The hair straightening device according to claim 5; whereinthe interior surface of the first arm is formed from a non-deformablematerial that is not deformed by the protrusions of the second arm whenthe hair straightening device is in the closed position and theprotrusions contact and are deformed by the interior second surface. 7.The hair straightening device according to claim 1; wherein eachprotrusion has a width that decreases as the protrusions extends fromthe interior surface of the second arm.
 8. The hair straightening deviceaccording to claim 7; wherein each protrusion is shaped as a cone orpyramid.
 9. The hair straightening device according to claim 1; whereineach protrusion has a width that is constant as the protrusions extendsfrom the interior surface of the second arm.
 10. The hair straighteningdevice according to claim 1; wherein the device weighs from 5-60 grams;and wherein each of the first and second arms comprises a hair-sidesurface configured to contact hair when hair is arranged between thefirst and second arms and the device is in the closed position; andwherein each hair-side surface has: a length extending from the hinge toan end of the respective first or second arm that is in a range of from1-6 inches; and a width perpendicular to the length that is in a rangeof a 1-6 inches.
 11. The hair straightening device according to claim10; wherein the length of each hair-side surface is greater than orequal that the width of that hair-side surface.
 12. The hairstraightening device according to claim 10; wherein the length of eachhair-side surface is less than the width of that hair-side surface. 13.The hair straightening device according to claim 1; wherein at least onearm of the first and second arms comprises a port through which a massof material can be added, removed, or both, to the inside of the one armto adjust the weight of the device
 14. The hair straightening deviceaccording to claim 13; wherein the at least one arm further comprises acover configured to open and close the port.
 15. The hair straighteningdevice according to claim 1, further comprising: a spring that applies aspring force to bias the first and second arms towards each other tomaintain the device in the closed position.
 16. The hair straighteningdevice according to claim 1; wherein one arm of the first and secondarms comprises a magnet generator that generates a magnetic field; andwherein the other arm of the first and second arms comprises a magneticattractor that is attracted to the magnetic generator by the magneticfield so as to bias the first and second arms towards each other tomaintain the device in the closed position.
 17. The hair straighteningdevice according to claim 16; wherein the magnet generator is apermanent magnet.
 18. The hair straightening device according to claim16; wherein the magnet attractor is a permanent magnet.
 19. The hairstraightening device according to claim 16; wherein the magnet attractoris a piece of metal.
 20. A hair straightening device comprising: a firstarm; a hinge connected to the first arm; and a second arm connected tothe hinge; wherein the first arm, the second arm, or both are rotatablearound the hinge between an open position where the first arm and thesecond arm do not contact each other and a closed position where thefirst arm and the second arm contact each other; wherein the first armcomprises a deformable first material that forms an interior deformablesurface of the first arm that faces the second arm when the hairstraightening device is in the closed position; and wherein the interiordeformable surface of the first arm is deformed by the second arm whenthe hair straightening device is in the closed position.
 21. The hairstraightening device according to claim 20; wherein the second armcomprises a deformable second material that forms an interior deformablesurface of the second arm that faces the interior deformable surface ofthe first arm when the hair straightening device is in the closedposition; wherein the interior deformable surface of the second arm isdeformed by the first arm when the hair straightening device is in theclosed position; and wherein the deformable second material is the sameas or different from the deformable first material.
 22. The hairstraightening device according to claim 20; wherein the second armcomprises a non-deformable material that forms an interiornon-deformable surface of the second arm that faces the interiordeformable surface of the first arm when the hair straightening deviceis in the closed position; wherein the interior non-deformable surfaceof the second arm is not deformed by the first arm when the hairstraightening device is in the closed position and the deformablesurface of the first arm contacts and presses against the non-deformablesurface of the second arm; and wherein the non-deformable material isdifferent from the deformable first material.